Keep the AFL momentum rolling, boys

MOMENTUM. It exists in most sports (well, maybe not ‘Dressage’…what sort of sadist dreamt that one up?) and it seems none more so than in the glorious world of AFL.

What’s most intriguing about when a team has momentum is it’s hard as buggery for the opposing team to do anything about it.

Case in point: Essendon on Saturday night. Now, the Dons were facing the Sydney music after somehow managing to get rolled by the Dees. They were also back under a roof so that none of that nasty Melbourne weather would ruin James Hird’s immaculately coiffured hair. They needed to show the footy world that they were a genuine top four side and that the previous week was just a bit of a speed bump.

What the Bombers dished up until three-quarter time was just two goals. The Swans were surging ahead by 50 and gunning to the top of the ladder. Obviously Hirdy wasn’t happy so he loosened his tie a bit and delivered a power point presentation so damning, it drained the batteries on his iPad. Facing the prospect of a team-building weekend at Hirdy’s ranch if they lost was enough to kick-start the said momentum.

Jimmy’s boys proceeded to boot nine goals and almost pinched a world record comeback. If it wasn’t for a Dempsey decision to play on after the siren, the Bombers wouldn’t be doing trust falls and singing ‘Kum Ba Ya’ as we speak.

Another mob that had plenty of the big ‘M’ was Richmond. They were coming off a great win, had recently hit 50,000 members and Jack Riewoldt had his first street named after him.

The Tiges were expected to kak it in over a Freo team that were wondering just what this wet stuff falling from the sky was. Clearly they thought this one was done and dusted after kicking the opening two goals and figured, ‘That’ll do! Party time boys!’

Wrong. The Dockers overcame the alien conditions and gave the Yellow and Black army several new blood vessels to burst and a lesson in wet weather footy. It leaves Richmond destined once again of sneaking into ninth and with the prospect of thousands of fresh microwaved membership cards.

Buddy put on another clinic over Port, although he might be on the sidelines for a couple of weeks for giving his opponent a wizzy dizzy.

In other news, Gold Coast are still rubbish, The Blues are sliding faster than Facebook shares and the Cats are just being greedy now, as they look like being there yet again in September.

IMAGE: David Myers (L) and Heath Hocking (R) of Essendon tackle Craig Bird of Sydney during their Round 11 AFL game at the Dockland Stadium in Melbourne, Saturday, June 9, 2012. Sydney won the game by 4 points, 13-8,86 to 11-16,82. (AAP Image/Martin Philbey)